Here Comes Your Fighting Sundogs, Hopefully not

The UND Nickname Committee has decided that these are the seven remaining nicknames: Fighting Hawks, Green Hawks, Nodaks, North Dakota, North Stars, Roughriders, Sundogs. Six of the seven nickname choices are acceptable. I like the no nickname option or Rough Riders. I could live with one of the Hawks. I find nickname Sundogs to be intolerable and down right moronic.

If the University of North Dakota selects this horrible nickname, they will make a mockery out of the University. Don't do it. Yet, this horrible selection remains on the list. Be very afraid.

Tom Dennis, Grand Forks Herald -- So, we wonder: How on earth can someone claim the nickname Roughriders stirs some sort of sexual connotation and that it shouldn't be used as the next mascot of the University of North Dakota sports teams?

It was discussed last month by UND's nickname committee. After noting "Roughriders" received the most points during a recent round of nickname discussion, consultants from PadillaCRT -- a company lending aid to the committee -- said the nickname has an inappropriate double meaning.

"This crosses the line and could be embarrassing and problematic," said Kelly O'Keefe, one of the consultants.

Oops. Don't tell that to the 1,200 or so kids who attend Grand Forks Red River High School, which also uses Roughriders as its nickname. Or the thousands of alumni who have passed through the halls of Red River.

As long as Sundogs remains on the list, I am leery. After reading Tom Dennis' opinion piece today, I remain even more skeptical. I almost wonder if they're setting us up? No, there's not a black helicopter with a swat team landing in my back yard.  Thoughts?